Keiser university graduate school



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Academic Policies

Credit Hours


Credit for Keiser University courses is calculated on a semester credit hour basis.

15 lecture clock hours = 1 semester credit hour

30 laboratory clock hours = 1 semester credit hour

45 externship clock hours = 1 semester credit hour


Guidelines for Graduate Study


Hybrid courses combine online and on ground classes, meeting a minimum of four times for 16 hours of face to face contact. Hybrid courses are considered in resident.

University Hours


The University is in session throughout the year, with the exception of holidays and vacations listed in the Academic Calendar. Please check with the Associate Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs for Graduate Education for other schedules that may be specific to a Keiser University campus.

Special Tutoring


Keiser University instructors are available for special tutoring and make-up work outside normal class hours. Instructors are also available by appointment to provide demonstrations, answer questions and conduct reviews. Computers and other equipment are available for students to use outside class hours. Students who desire special assistance are urged to take advantage of this help which is offered at no extra cost.

Academic Advisement


All students are assigned an academic advisor. Keiser University's faculty and administration are dedicated to meeting student needs and attend to each student's academic needs in a professional and caring manner.

Library System


Keiser University’s Library provides a combined collection of well over 118,000 volumes. Each of the library’s 15 campus facilities provides a pleasant, well-appointed learning environment including physical collections of materials, study space, relaxation space and computers to access all information available through the library’s database resources.

The Library belongs to several state-supported multi-type library consortia as well as LIRN (The Library Information Resource Network) which is a consortium of private institutional libraries with the purpose of providing quality affordable database information resources. Together, these consortia memberships are a major advantage to all Keiser University students because they increase the number and types of educational resources that can be accessed and they reduce the cost of providing such resources.


The Main Library is open 75 hours per week, from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday Fridays 7:30am to 6:00pm, and Saturday 8:00am to 5:00pm. All Keiser University Libraries are staffed by a professional librarian holding an American Library Association Accredited Master of Library Science degree (ALA/MLS) with several campus libraries having more than one library staff member with the ALA/MLS degree. In order to guarantee that, beyond the physical Library hours, all patrons can access library resources and the service of a professional librarian the library participates in and provides an online link to the web-based “Ask A Librarian” service that is available 24 hours a day from its webpage where students may access the Library’s collections, reading lists, or inter-library loan service as well as the 80+ different web-based research databases to which the library subscribes.
The library also provides a variety of library training opportunities to assist students in the utilization of the library resources. Library training in one form or another is available at any time. Self-paced, web-based training video and PowerPoint tutorials are embedded directly into the Library’s web-based catalog which may be accessed from any Internet connection. Subject-specific classroom presentations conducted by a professional librarian are available at the request of instructors, and individual instruction by a professional librarian either in person or by telephone is available to anyone upon request during regular Library hours.
All of the library’s collections are professionally managed by a team of American Library Association-accredited librarians with Master of Library Science degrees working individually and in concert to provide the highest possible level of library service. The Library aims to tailor library resources and services to specific educational, research and public service needs; and to offer these resources and services through a variety of delivery methods to meet the needs of campus-based as well as web-based and distance learners.

The Writing Studio


The mission of the Graduate Online Graduate Online Writing Studio(GROWS) at Keiser University is to enhance student learning by providing an instructional resource to students, faculty, and staff for developing academic and professional communication skills. This student-friendly, hands-on atmosphere provides Keiser University community members the opportunity to discuss individual writing concerns with trained writing consultants.
The Graduate Online Writing Studio is dedicated to assisting writers at every stage of the writing process. By engaging writers in discussions about their works-in-progress, the Graduate Online Writing Studio helps develop better writers, who, in turn, create better writings.
The Graduate Online Writing Studio provides students with value-added learning experiences that increase their chances for success as competent writers in their chosen professions. To accomplish this, writing consultants offer face-to-face and online writing consultations, group workshops and classroom presentations, online and hard copy resources and campus outreach programs.

Average Class Size


Keiser University is proud of its small classes and individualized attention. Although class size will obviously vary, Keiser University monitors class size to ensure that program objectives are met.

Field Trips


Instructors may take students on field trips at appropriate times during a course. Field trips are designed to supplement curriculum and to introduce students to situations that cannot be reproduced in a classroom. Students are notified in advance of any field trips.

Guest Lecturers


Keiser University feels that students' education is enhanced by speakers from the

business and professional world that graduates will enter. Guest lecturers are invited to speak to students on a variety of related subjects.


Schedule Changes


Students who register for a class that is canceled or have scheduling errors are given schedule change assistance by the Advisor, Department Chair or the Associate Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs for Graduate Education. Dates and times for schedule changes are posted as far in advance as possible.

Honor Code


Enrollment in Keiser University and the completion of the enrollment agreement represents a student's pledge to respect the rights and property of the University and fellow students and to adhere to general principles of academic honesty.

Leave of Absence Policy


To be eligible to apply for a leave of absence, a student must have completed one full semester at Keiser University. The student must submit a written request for the leave (with required documentation) to the Associate Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs for Graduate Education. Students must have approval from the Associate Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs for Graduate Education prior to the start of a leave of absence. An exception to this policy may be made for a student with a medical emergency (such as a car accident) or military duty. This exception to the policy is considered only when a student expects to return to school within the maximum time frame for a leave of absence. A student may make a single request for a non-contiguous leave of absence when the request is for the same reason (such as a serious health problem requiring multiple treatments).
A leave of absence may be granted for a period not to exceed 120 days. Generally, students are limited to one leave of absence in any twelve-month period. However, a second leave of absence may be granted as long as the total number of days does not exceed 120 days in any twelve-month period. Acceptable reasons for a leave of absence or a second leave of absence within a twelve-month period are jury duty, military duty or circumstances such as those covered under the Family Medical and Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA). These circumstances are birth of a child, placement of a child with a student for adoption or foster care, student must care for spouse, child or parent with a serious illness or a serious health condition of the student.
A leave of absence is granted only when there is a reasonable expectation a student will return to school at the expiration of the leave of absence. Students taking an approved leave of absence do not incur any additional charges for the period of the approved leave. However, any student who fails to return to school at the end of an approved leave of absence is withdrawn from Keiser University and will be charged a re-entry fee when he/she re-enrolls.
If a student does not return to school at the expiration of an approved leave of absence, the student's last day of attendance is the date the student began the leave of absence, and charges and refund calculations are applied. All refund and cancellation policies are applied based on a student’s last day of attendance. A major consequence of this for students who have received federal student loans is that most of a student's grace period may be exhausted and student loan repayment may begin immediately.

University Withdrawal Policy


When a student withdraws from Keiser University, oral or written notice should be given to the Associate Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs for Graduate Education by the student, parent or guardian. Such notice should contain the reason for the withdrawal.
Students have a responsibility to notify the University of their intent to withdraw and indicate the date of the withdrawal. If the student plans to return to school, this should be indicated to the Associate Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs for Graduate Education during this process.
A student who withdraws and does not notify the University of their intent to return must be withdrawn within 14 days of the last date of attendance.  In addition, any student who has not attended class within 14 days must be withdrawn. 

The above policy will affect the student’s grade based on the following:


Withdrawal prior to 50% completion of the course, a grade of W will be assigned.

Withdrawal after 50% completion of the course, a grade of WF will be assigned.


Military Deployment Policy


Military students must provide a copy of orders to request a withdrawal from the institution for Military Duty. No academic penalty will be given for deployment. If the student is currently attending a class, the student has the option to complete the course with the approval of their faculty member and Associate Vice Chancellor. The student can request an “Incomplete” grade and will have 30 days to complete all course work. Extensions are possible given mitigating circumstances. Extension requests will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
If the student decides to withdraw from the class, a grade of “WM” will be earned and the class will be retaken upon return to the University. The “WM” grade will not affect the student’s satisfactory academic progress (SAP) due to Military Deployment.
If the withdrawal is during the semester, no withdrawal fee will be charged. If the student was activated during a term, that term, and the remaining semester, will not incur any charges. Upon re-entry, admissions fees will be waived with copy of military orders. All other admissions and academics requirements will be applicable. Service members, Reservists, and Guard members will be readmitted to their program of study provided that SAP was being made prior to suspending their studies due to service obligations.

Policy on Class Absences Due to Military Service


Students shall not be penalized for class absence due to unavoidable or legitimate required military obligations not to exceed two (2) weeks unless special permission is granted by the Associate Vice Chancellor. Absence due to short-term military duty in the National Guard or Active Reserve is recognized as an excused absence. To validate such an absence, the student must present evidence to the Associate Vice Chancellor’s office. The Associate Vice Chancellor will then provide a letter of verification to the student's faculty for the term.

Students are not to be penalized if absent from an examination, lecture, laboratory, clinicals, or other class activity because of an excused military absence. However, students are fully responsible for all material presented during their absence, and faculty are required to provide opportunities, for students to make up examinations and other work missed because of an excused absence. The faculty member is responsible to provide reasonable alternate assignment(s), as applicable, and/or opportunities to make up exams, clinicals, or other course assignments that have an impact on the course grade. Faculty may require appropriate substitute assignments.


Policy On Military Stipends


In an effort to assist the student, the institution will release a credit balance only when charges are posted and the credit is showing.
Chapter 33 Example:

  1. Student is certified in VA Once for semester 13WB

  2. Student is charged – Tuition, Education Fee, book

  3. These charges create a debit balance on the ledger card

  4. Student receives: Pell Grant, Direct Loans and Military Scholarship

  5. Student still has a debit balance

  6. No funds will be released under policy.

If a Military student is requesting a fund release when a debit balance exists, the following process must be followed:



  • Military student submits request in writing

  • Bursar emails request to Military Affairs team for review

  • Military Affairs team reviews file, determines if funding is forthcoming

  • Military Affairs team submits request to Associate Vice Chancellor of Student Financial Services (AVCSFS ) for review and determination of either full release or partial release

  • AVCSFS makes determination and will either approve a release or speak with student and explain why it is not possible.

  • If release is determined, AVCSFS will place in activity the approval amount and schedule stipend to be issued during the next scheduled check run. There should be no special checks cut off cycle.


Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation Exemption
Veterans who are being funded by the Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation benefits will be given the following options for any Title IV funds being used for living expenses:

  1. Once a credit is created on the account, all credits will be released to the student.

  2. The student can opt to have ¼ of all Title IV funds being used for living expenses processed at the beginning of each term within the semester, once the student has posted attendance and the Title IV funds are processed and posted to the account.*

  3. The student can receive all Title IV funds once the student has posted attendance and at the beginning of the semester, once the Title IV funds are processed and posted to the account.*

*Title IV funds are not automatically eligible funds and the student is required to sit for at least 60% of the semester for the Title IV loans to be eligible for retention. If the student fails to sit for all terms within the semester, an R2T4 calculation must be performed and any balance created by the student becoming ineligible for Title IV funds will be the responsibility of the STUDENT.


Funds will only be authorized for release once Title IV funds are processed and posted to the Veteran’s account and after verification of an approved VA Form 28-1905. Failure to provide approved VA documentation or posted Title IV funds will result in stipend requests being denied.
Return of Federal Tuition Assistance

Keiser University will return any unearned FTA funds on a proportional basis through at least the 60 percent portion of the period for which the funds were provided. FTA funds are earned proportionally during an enrollment period, with unearned funds returned based upon when a student stops attending. In instances when a Servicemember stops attending due to a military service obligation, Keiser University will work with the affected Servicemember to identify solutions that will not result in a student debt for the returned portion.


Academic Re-Admittance Policy


A student must apply for re-admittance to the University after voluntary or involuntary withdrawal. This policy also applies to students who have been on an approved leave of absence that extended beyond the date granted which results in automatic withdrawal. The re-admittance policy is as follows:
Students must obtain permission from the Associate Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs for Graduate Education to re-enroll.

Students must obtain the Bursar's signature on the re-entry form indicating that all financial obligations to the University have been met. If a student has been out of school for more than one (1) semester, a re-entry fee of $150 must be paid.

Students must contact a Financial Aid Administrator to re-apply for financial aid and set up a payment schedule.

If a student has been out of school for more than six (6) months, the student may no longer have the hands-on skills necessary for his/her respective program. The decision for re-admittance in this case is made by the Program Director/Coordinator. The Associate Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs may grant approval for re-admittance if a student has been out of school for more than one (1) semester.

Students are re-enrolled under current tuition charges.

If students are re-admitted under academic financial aid warning, they are not eligible for Title IV funds until they have reestablished their eligibility. Therefore, they are responsible for any charges incurred during this period.

After obtaining required signatures on a re-entry form, a reentering student must return the form to the Admissions Department to be scheduled for classes.

Disciplinary Re-Admittance Policy


A student must apply for re-admittance to the University after being withdrawn for disciplinary reasons. The re-admittance policy is as follows:

1. Students re-entering are placed on one semester of disciplinary probation.

If there are no violations of student rules and regulations during this period, at the conclusion of the probationary semester, students are removed from the probation.

Add-Drop Period


Keiser University maintains an add/drop period during which students may change courses without academic penalty. Add/drops may occur only during the first three class days of a course.

Students withdrawing from a course, but not replacing it with another, must be aware of how this affects full-time status, tuition charges and satisfactory academic progress.


Academic Load


To be considered full-time, graduate students must carry a minimum load of six (6) credit hours per semester which is a normal academic load. Full-time doctoral candidate students must carry a minimum load of three (3) credit hours per semester while in dissertation courses.

Testing


A certain amount of classroom testing is necessary for each course. It is a Keiser University policy that each student completes the required evaluations according to the schedule required by the instructor in order to receive a passing grade. All examinations are announced in advance so students can prepare. Any examination not completed by the deadline set by an instructor may result in an automatic failure for that particular examination, unless specific arrangements are made with the instructor. Students who are given the opportunity by an instructor to make up an examination may only be able to receive a pass or fail grade for that examination. Final examinations are normally scheduled during regular class hours on the day of the last class meeting for the course.
NOTE: Veterans’ Administration benefits and some Title IV funds may not cover the cost of repeating courses assigned a “C” grade. Students should speak with the Financial Services Department for further details.

Grading Policy


Students are awarded letter grades for work undertaken at Keiser University. Academic work is evaluated and grades are assigned at the end of each term to indicate a student's level of performance. Criteria upon which a student's performance is evaluated are distributed to each student at the beginning of each course in the form of a course syllabus. Grades are based on the quality of a student's work as shown by recitation, written tests, class projects, presentations, research papers and homework/outside assignments. The meaning of the grade notations is as follows and is based on a 4.0 scale:


Letter Grade

Interpretation

Numerical Value

Numeric Grade

A

Excellent

4.0

90.00-100.00%

B

Good

3.0

80.00-89.99%

C

Average

2.0

70.00-79.99%

F

Failing

0.0

Up to 69.99%

AU

Audit

Not Computed




I

Incomplete

Not Computed*




W

Withdrawal

Not Computed

(prior to 50% completion)






WF

Withdrawn past midpoint of course

0.0




WM

Withdrawal/ Military Duty

Not Computed




WNA

Withdrawal/No Attendance

Not Computed




P

Pass

Not Computed




T

Transfer Credit

Not Computed



*Converts to grade of F if no grade is entered by end of two weeks


Grades are posted online at the end of each term. Students receiving an Incomplete in any subject must meet with their instructor to discuss satisfactory arrangements to fulfill course requirements. Course assignments for an Incompletes must be completed within four (4) weeks of the beginning of the next term. Exceptions to this policy must be approved by the Associate Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs for Graduate Education. Failure to complete the work within this four-week time period will, without administrative approval, result in a failing grade.
Students receiving an Incomplete in the capstone pre-requisite course must successfully complete the pre-requisite within four weeks. Students who do not successfully complete the pre-requisite are immediately removed from the capstone course and enrolled back in the pre-requisite course.
Dissertation grades for Doctor of Philosophy degree programs, Credit (CR), In Progress (IP), and No Credit (NC) are awarded at the end of every dissertation course. In Progress grades are awarded if a doctoral candidate is within two weeks of completing dissertation course requirements. Exceptions to this policy must be approved by the Associate Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs for Graduate Education.
Dissertation grades for Doctor of Business Administration degree programs, Credit (CR), In Progress (IP), and No Credit (NC) are awarded at the end of every dissertation course. In Progress grades are awarded in dissertation courses that are not complete within one term. In Progress grades will be changed to Credit or No Credit pending completion of course benchmarks within required time limits. Exceptions to this policy must be approved by the Associate Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs for Graduate Education.
Dissertation Progress Policy

Doctoral candidates must be enrolled in dissertation courses for three (3) semesters minimum. Candidates will be awarded 12 credit hours upon successful defense and completion of all dissertation requirements. Candidates, who do not complete the dissertation requirements in four (4) semesters, will be enrolled in dissertation continuation courses.


Repeating Courses

A course in which a final grade of “C" or less has been earned may be repeated for grade average purposes. Only the higher grade is used in computation of accumulative grade point average at Keiser University. However, students in the Master of Science in Physician Assistant program may not repeat courses in accordance with program policy.

A course in which a satisfactory final grade (e.g., "A" or "B") has been earned may not be repeated for grade average purposes. No courses may be repeated for grade average purposes after graduation and no courses can be attempted more than three times. All credits attempted are considered when calculating quantitative Satisfactory Academic Progress status. A student failing the first course of the academic program, as a general rule, will be required to retake that same course the next term, assuming its availability. This practice recognizes that the student should repeat the course while the material is relatively familiar and the student is in the best positon to remediate the failing grade. If the student should receive a failing grade in the second attempt, the student will be academically dismissed and may apply for re‐entry only after the applicant has been counseled by the Graduate School to determine the student’s interest in and suitability for enrollment in a graduate program.

Nonperforming Students

Occasionally, a student who is admitted to the Graduate School will be evaluated as “non‐performing”. Such classifications are applicable to any students who do not login to courses, fail to complete or submit assignments, earn successive failing grades on course assignments, or fail to participate actively in the course activities. In such cases, it is the responsibility of the

faculty member teaching the course to attempt to actively intervene in the situation through all possible means of communication in an effort to ascertain the reasons for the non‐performance and in an effort to assist the student in salvaging the credit for the course and avoiding failure. These efforts should be documented in CampusVue. If there is an insufficient or no response on the part of the student, the faculty member will send written notification to the academic department chair and the Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs: Graduate School as soon as possible and request assistance. Every effort will be made to establish contact with the student and attempt to remediate the situation; all efforts will be documented in CampusVue. Whatever the rationale for the nonperformance, should the student fail the initial course, the student will be limited to one subsequent second enrollment in an effort to demonstrate a serious intention to pursue graduate level education. A second successive failure will result in dismissal from the graduate program. Re‐entry will not be entertained for such students without a personal interview by the Graduate School to determine the suitability of the student for graduate education. The results of such interviews will be submitted to the Office of the Graduate School.

Academic Year


An academic year is defined as two semesters equivalent to 32 weeks of instruction and at least *12 semester hours.

*6 semester hours for graduate candidate students in dissertation courses

Standardized Testing Requirements


Keiser University requires students in certain programs to take standardized tests before graduation. The purpose of standardized testing is to ensure the effectiveness of the University’s educational programs.

Degree Requirements






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